Government responds to Select Committee report

News | HSP
04.07.2008

The Government has published its response to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Select Committee's inquiry into the work of the HSE.

On the question of legal duties for board directors, the Government says it is "committed to revisit the question of director duties following a timely, thorough and independent evaluation of the impact of the voluntary approach."

The evaluation will begin towards the end of next year and the HSE will be able to review findings in early 2010.

Responding the Select Committee's call for increases in inspection levels and in the number of front-line inspectors, the Government says it "does not accept that [the Committee's report] makes a compelling case within HSE's overall resources."

"The Government remains committed to inspection, consistent and proportionate enforcement and maintaining progress towards the existing Revitalising Health and safety targets," says the response. "It believes, however, that a balanced programme of interventions is the best way in which it can stimulate those with the main responsibility for achieving these targets."

Elsewhere in its response, the Government supports the case for the accreditation of health and safety professionals and says it is facilitating a meeting of the professional bodies to discuss how such a scheme "could promote the responsible and proportionate provision of health and safety advice."

The full text of the Government's response is available here.